EU to probe Google for 'abuse of dominance' over AI training
This is the second investigation into Google launched by Brussels in less than a month
The European Commission has launched a new antitrust investigation against Google: it suspects the company of "abuse of dominant position". According to Brussels, Google could use users' content posted on the company's platforms, including YouTube, to train and operate artificial intelligence. This is another step by the European Union in tightening regulation of American technology giants, according to Reuters.
Details
The European Commission said it is checking whether Google is hindering competition by imposing unfair conditions on publishers and content creators or providing itself with privileged access to their content. According to the regulator, such practices may give Google an advantage in the development of artificial intelligence that other developers of the technology do not have.
Brussels will also check to what extent the generation of AI Overviews and AI Mode (AI leads in Google search) by the company is based on publishers' content without adequate compensation and without the possibility for them to opt out without risking losing visibility in Google search.
Google believes the European Commission's investigation carries risks of limiting innovation, The Wall Street Journal wrote, citing a company spokesman. The service intends to "continue to work closely" with the news and creative industries as they move into the "AI era," he said.
What does that mean
This is the second investigation into Google launched by the European Commission in less than a month. The first was related to Google's anti-spam tools. The European Commission also received a legal complaint from publishers about the AI Overview tool. It accused Google of unfairly diverting traffic away from news sites, WSJ recalled.
The increased regulatory scrutiny reflects growing concerns that Big Tech's dominance in new technologies could squeeze out competitors - while also heightening tensions with the U.S. as EU laws in recent years have become a sore subject for Washington, Reuters writes.
In September, the EU fined Google almost €3 billion for violating antitrust rules and distorting competition in the advertising technology market. Google then called the EU's decision erroneous and intended to appeal it.
The European Commission has recently generally stepped up its surveillance of how tech giants are integrating AI into their services, The Wall Street Journal emphasizes. For example, in early December, the regulator launched an investigation into how Meta Platforms integrates its AI bot into messenger WhatsApp and restricts access to competing AI providers.
What about the stock
Alphabet's Class A shares were down about 0.6% in premarket trading on Dec. 9. The main trades a day earlier ended with a 2.29% drop. But compared to the beginning of 2025, the securities are now 66% more expensive.
Most analysts advise "buy" on Alphabet shares: they have 54 Buy ratings and nine Overweight ratings versus 12 Hold, with no "sell" recommendations, MarketWatch shows. The average target price of $331.82 suggests the stock is up another 5.8% from the last closing price.
This article was AI-translated and verified by a human editor
